The Viva Cuba Mural Project created opportunity for diverse artists to contribute to the project. Artists have come from varied locations and backgrounds. The project would not be what it is today with out the Cuba Missouri Mural Artists.
The Model T Mural
Michelle Loughery is an artist, organizer, and educator in public art with over 20 years experience in out door murals. She is from rural British Columbia, Canada. Her teenage daughter and local artist Shelly Smith Steiger assisted Loughery.
The Apple Barrel Mural
Shelly Smith Steiger is a 1986 graduate of Crawford County R-II School in Cuba. She attended Mineral Area College with an emphasis in commercial art. She also attended the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, where she majored in Art Education. Shelly specialized in residential custom art projects in Arkansas and Missouri. Besides working on Cuba’s murals, she visited Canada for a training session on painting outdoor murals. Shelly lives in Cuba with her husband and two daughters. Smith also completed A Day at the Cooperage in 2018.
Gold Star Boys Train Mural
Michelle Loughery of Canada, bringing along her assistant Sara Lindsay, returned to Cuba for this mural. Shelly Smith Steiger collaborated on this mural.
Michelle Loughery and her apprentice work on a heritage mural.
The Truman/Fair Mural
Jay Ferger, a resident of Webster Groves, is a graduate of Webster University. His many years of experience include associations with Maritz, Opera Theater of St. Louis, the Santa Fe Opera, the Minnesota Opera, and the St. Louis Symphony.
The Amelia Earhart Mural
Local artist Shelly Smith Steiger, who worked on the first three murals, created this mural with the assistance of Julie Balogh Brand. Shelly is profiled above. Julie has attended many art workshops with nationally known artists and studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. She owns and operates a fine arts ceramic studio in Cuba.
Julie Balogh Brand Cuba MO Mural Artist
Mayor Al West Mural
The mural was painted by artists from the Whitesitt Group in St. Louis, MO, which is known for its architectural illustrations. Bob Whitesitt is now retired from his company although he is still painting.
Bob Whiteset Cuba MO Mural Artist
Prosperity Corner Mural
Kelly Poling of Chillicothe, MO is an experienced outdoor muralist, but he is also known for a variety of techniques. He owns a frame shop and gallery in Chillicothe.
The Millworks/Roberts-Judson Mural
Artists Shelly Smith Steiger and Julie Balogh Brand once more teamed on this mural. Another hometown artist Julie Nixon Krovicka assisted on the mural by painting the figure of her father Francis Nixon, who worked at Roberts-Judson for 54 years. Krovicka is a South City St. Louis artist who often accepts commissions in the Cuba area. She painted the murals at the Main Street Bakery and Cafe and the small murals on the exterior of Frisco’s.
The River Mural
Local artists Smith Steiger and Balogh Brand (see profiles above) were the artists on this mural. In April 2005, Brand created her newest commission with the birth of her son, Ian.
The Civil War Mural Panels
The Civil War Murals were painted by Artist Don Gray of California who has years of experience as a painter, muralist, illustrator, teacher, and has been involved in many public art projects. The text panels were painted by Julie Nixon Krovicka.
The Bette Davis Mural & History at the 4-Way Mural
Ray Harvey, a Missouri artist from the Washington, Missouri area, painted both the Bette Davis mural and the History at the 4-Way mural. Harvey received an Associates Degree in Graphics and Technical Illustration. After many years of working for Maritz Company, he branched off into freelance work. He has worked on an array of projects including commissions for the Chase Park Plaza, St. Albans Country Club, Merrill-Lynch, and Gateway Arch Museum. Harvey enjoys doing public art and hopes it will some day be as prevalent as billboards. Harvey also has indoor murals in Cuba at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Smith Street and at Victorian Manor at 901 Hwy. DD.
Viva Cuba Garden Train sculpture
Viva Cuba extended their public art program when they redesigned the Viva Cuba Garden at the junction of Route 66 and Hwy. 19 in 2008. Father and son team Glen and Curtis Tutterrow built the 1873 train replica that was placed on the brick wall.
By day the father and son team work at Wildllfe Unlimited in Cuba, MO as taxidermists. However, this creative team creates some great photography, paintings, and other artistic ventures. They are also licensed Elk hunting guides in Colorado.
Tutterrow and his son Curtis completed the Osage Trail Legacy monument in 2018.
Viva Cuba Garden Traffic Control Panels
Artist and muralist Julie Wiegand, who recently relocated to Berger, MO is known for both her residential and commercial commissions. Although she works in a studio, she also enjoys painting in the open air where she can observe the changing light. She may create an 8’ X 10” canvas or a 100’ wall mural, and nature plays a prominent role in her work. Like any artist, Wiegand leaves a slice of beauty behind wherever she goes.
Julie Wiegand Cuba Missouri Mural Artist
Osage Mural Meeting in Missouri
Norman Akers, an Osage artist with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art institute located in Kansas City, Missouri painted the mural Meeting in Missouri. Additionally, Mr. Akers holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Currently, he is an Associate Professor for the University of Kansas. Isaiah Stewart assisted Akers.
Norman Akers signs the Osage mural in the historic mural district in Cuba, MO.
Artists Websites
Norman Akers painter, muralist, print maker, teacher
Julie Balogh Brand – The Ceramic Art of Julie Brand
Don Gray – Civil War Mural panels artist
Ray Harvey – Bette Davis Mural & History at the 4-Way Mural artist